Still Top Poster on here Smithy, but just have to correct a minor, inconsequential, mint imperial detail there, and in correct order

With all this head butting going on and general lumber int mill, just who are regarded as the hard knocks in our squad at present, you know, the guys that all the other players would always defer to and never challenge but would look to on the pitch when the going got tough. I don’t see anyone
Have we got a Team Cock any more

Yes, a certain someone rushing out of the line, causing a gap, being beaten by footwork then ineffective tackle.

Anyway you said you don't doubt effort, yet Powell and ex pros do. Someone has to be wrong.

All I can say is in my very humble experience the vast majority of players try very very hard but fail for other reasons.
Fear of failure and pressure of expectation, ability (of course) and coaching ... usually more of a problem.

Difficult to comment on some of the twaddle that comes out at times when an ex-player suddenly has a microphone in his hands.

re. Powell ... not clear on exactly what he said re. effort. Did he suggest a lack of effort? If he did .. well it is dead easy to solve that one.

Quote: Smiffy27 "All I can say is in my very humble experience the vast majority of players try very very hard but fail for other reasons. Fear of failure and pressure of expectation, ability (of course) and coaching ... usually more of a problem. Difficult to comment on some of the twaddle that comes out at times when an ex-player suddenly has a microphone in his hands. re. Powell ... not clear on exactly what he said re. effort. Did he suggest a lack of effort? If he did .. well it is dead easy to solve that one.'" [iDP https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/ne ... -cup-exit/

Quote: Smiffy27 "All I can say is in my very humble experience the vast majority of players try very very hard but fail for other reasons. Fear of failure and pressure of expectation, ability (of course) and coaching ... usually more of a problem. Difficult to comment on some of the twaddle that comes out at times when an ex-player suddenly has a microphone in his hands. re. Powell ... not clear on exactly what he said re. effort. Did he suggest a lack of effort? If he did .. well it is dead easy to solve that one.'" [iDP https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/ne ... -cup-exit/

There's no ambiguity here, Powell has quite clearly said that players are not playing to instruction, are wilting under pressure and in some cases lacking effort. He didn't dodge blame himself, and emphasised the "all in it together" mantra but he didn't shield the players from blame.

And good on him. Some of these players have been wallowing around in a comfort zone for years and failed to deliver on the talent they seem to think they possess.

The reaction of the players and the respect they have for the coaching staff will be the acid test in the coming weeks. They'll either pull away from the coach or they'll dig in for him.

Well he should've had that conversation last week. We might still be in the cup by now. He’s not without accountability.

Good on him is right. You would have to say that our defence looks worse than last year. Price did improve our defence almost immediately but of course our attacking ideas were limited.

Price improved both when he took over from Tony Smith.

Smith
2017 For (avg) 18.52, against (avg) 24.2 Win 39% (regular season excluding Qualifiers league)

Price
2018 For (avg) 23.09 Against (avg) 17.8 Win 61%
2019 For (avg) 24.45 Against (avg) 18.3 Win 55%
2020 For (avg) 21.4 Against (avg) 12.0 Win 70%
2021 For (avg) 28.0 Against (avg) 16.8 Win 71%

Improve the props and you improve the defence and the go forward.
Too simple.
I’ve already written off 2022. I’m waiting to hear on signings for 2023 now as the only satisfaction I can take in this very long season.

In what way would you solve a lack of effort?

Where I work, the threat of being sacked usually improves people`s efforts.

Well in RL there's only the coach that gets the sack, the players stay until their contract runs out.
Is this the expected outcome?